Even more Attractions in Phalaborwa
Some two billion years ago, a series of violent volcanic eruptions, which took place over a period of millions of years, gave rise to a rich body of minerals, which became known as the Palabora Igneous Complex. Three main pipes have developed: one for copper, one for vermiculite, and one for phosphate. Since the 1950s the copper pipe has been turned into the widest man-made hole in Africa – 1,8 km x 1,2 km x 898 m deep.
Around 82,000 tons of ore were mined from this open cast mine daily, including products such as copper, gold, magnetite, nickel, palladium, phosphate, platinum, silver, titanium, vanadium, vermiculite, zirconium and other heavy metals.
Masorini, inside Kruger National Park, gives proof of the early mining and smelting activities in the area. It is a reconstructed hill village with huts, grain storage areas, and an iron, smelting site, built where the first inhabitants of the region lived as early as 400 A.D.
Whilst mining continues underground, the hole itself has become a tourist attraction that you can visit on a PMC mine tour.
At the Foskor Museum you will learn about the mining history of Phalaborwa and the ancestral living in the area.
More things to do:
- Fishing safaris
- Visit to Bombyx Mori Silk Farm
- Visit to Amarula Lapa, adjacent to the Amarula production plant. Learn about the marula tree and fruit and enjoy an afternoon of African hospitality.